Mohadesa Najumi, a female British writer once remarked: “Life is a useless passion, an exciting journey of a mammal in survival mode. Each day is a miracle, a blessing unexplored and the more you immerse yourself in light, the less you will feel the darkness. There is more to life than nothingness. And cynicism. And nihilism. And selfishness. And glorious isolation. Be selfish with yourself, but live your life through your immortal acts, acts that engrain your legacy onto humanity. Transcend your fears and follow yourself into the void instead of letting yourself get eaten up by entropy and decay. Freedom is being yourself without permission. Be soft and leave a lasting impression on everybody you meet.” 2 Corinthians 5:8 reminds us: “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
The Ascension of Jesus has been defined as the Christian belief, reflected in the major Christian creeds and confessional statements, that Jesus ascended to heaven forty days after His resurrection, where He was glorified, exalted as Lord and Christ, sitting at the right hand of God. As the remembrance of Ascension Day draws closer for another year, it may remind us of a past equatable experience when we concluded our time in a particular or special place.
We all enjoy the thought of a holiday away, but choosing the ideal place can sometimes become daunting. However, perhaps more importantly, how do we feel on the last day when it is time to go home? Do we feel sad? Or happy? Maybe indifferent, but I suppose the deciding factor will really depend on how the holiday went, if expectations were met, the weather conditions encountered and what we actually experienced or achieved from it.
For some, the end of a holiday is a yearning for more to come. The thought of returning home to a possible mundane life that is full of repetition or drudgery is beyond understanding, even with the unexpected twists and turns that earthly life itself often presents. If we have had a good time, then there may be an element of sadness, a longer time away might have been regarded as more beneficial, or is that just wishful thinking? But, if it has been full of grief or problems then we may be extremely glad that our stay is over and we are going home.
Life is unpredictable and frequently uncertain. It never features an unhindered path. It often encapsulates changing plans to cope with a sudden emergence of obstacles not expected or desired. Life has a tendency to hit home harder when we don’t want it to. I wonder how Jesus felt at His ascension. It certainly can’t be said that His time on earth could be related to a holiday, far from it. But, He was on His way home. He had suffered both good and bad times during His presence. His childhood was relatively normal, however, as He grew older, He would have constantly been reminded that He was sent for a particular predefined purpose and was expected to accomplish it.
With the exception of one, He had accumulated twelve loyal followers who hopefully, would continue His ministry after He had ascended into heaven. But what an endurance test life on earth must have been for Him. His disciples were close by at His ascension, both seeing and believing, they probably realized that the onus now fell upon them.
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus tells his followers, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”
Despite the miraculous goodness that Jesus had bestowed on many, He was falsely accused, rejected and sentenced to a horrific death at the end of His ministry. Did the disciples wonder if they would suffer the same fate? Or would life be hopefully easier for them? Upon the resurrection of Christ, His task, although mediated as arduous, and painstakingly difficult, was considered done. He had accomplished what was required of Him by God. Now it was time to go home. That in itself must have instigated a sense of satisfaction. It wasn’t an easy assignment and was often pitted with obstacles and rejection. I wonder if He had a gratifying feeling of going home or would He have preferred to stay longer? A debatable question indeed.
When people we know move away or move on to a better place, it can leave a tremendous gap or void in one’s life. Uncertainty prevails. This could easily have been the case with the close disciples of Christ. Not only would they endure the hardship of loss of their beloved leader after His ascension, but they were also charged with the added responsibility of continuing without Him. 1 Corinthians 15:58 reminds us: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
For the disciples, that must have been quite a daunting prospect that would have not only required stamina and determination, but great strength to overcome the uncertainty and fear that would undoubtedly follow. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 reminds us: “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” The Ascension of Christ took place at Mount Olivet. During the time from His resurrection until His ascension, it is said that He appeared to His disciples many times, not only to reassure them, but to instruct them on their future role in spreading the “Good News.” Any fear that remained had to be dissipated and replaced by strength and courage.
Marianne Williamson, an American writer once remarked: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Isaiah 41:10 confirms: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Amen.
